Russell Crowe Confirmed for Darren Aronofsky’s NOAH; Production Begins This July in New York and Iceland

Though we pretty much already knew he was onboard, Paramount and New Regency announced today that RussellCrowe is officially set to play Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s Biblical epic Noah. The film is “a close adaptation of the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark, in which the titular Noah is given a divine mission of building an ark to save creation from the impending flood. Aronofsky wrote the screenplay alongside Ari Handel, and John Logan (Gladiator, Hugo) performed revisions. Interestingly, the press release notes that production will begin this July in New York and Iceland. Hit the jump for more.

According to scripture, Noah’s Ark came to rest in the Mountains of Ararat, which is today located in Turkey. I’m not incredibly familiar with the geography of Iceland, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t look like Turkey. It’s possible that Aronofsky is still firming up other locations, or maybe they’ll do a bang-up job changing Iceland’s climate.

The film’s release date is set for March of 2014, so it’s also possible that the long post-production schedule means Aronofsky is utilizing a great deal of visual effects to bring the Biblical tale to life. Whatever the case, I’m incredibly excited to see that Noah is moving forward. Liam Neesonhas been mentioned in connection with the other lead role in the film, but he has yet to official come onboard. Read the full press release below. Noah opens on March 28th, 2014.

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 22, 2012) – Paramount Pictures and New Regency Productions jointly announced today that Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe has been cast as Noah in Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky’s feature film of the same name. Paramount will release the film on March 28, 2014.

Said Aronofsky, “I’d like to thank Paramount and Regency for backing my team’s work to breathe new life into the biblical epic. I rejoice that Russell Crowe will be by my side on this adventure. It’s his immense talent that helps me to sleep at night. I look forward to being wowed by him every day.”

NOAH is a close adaptation of the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save creation from the coming flood. The screenplay was written by Aronofsky and Ari Handel and revised by Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter John Logan (GLADIATOR, HUGO).

Scott Franklin and Aronofsky of Protozoa Pictures, along with Mary Parent of Disruption Entertainment, will produce the film. The film will be executive produced by Ari Handel (BLACK SWAN), Arnon Milchan of New Regency and Chris Brigham (INCEPTION, ARGO).